College Students Take Back the Night

Students across the nation are commemorating Sexual Assault Awareness Month with major events, rallies, and Take Back the Night events. Take Back the Night (TBTN) is a rally held internationally aimed at ending violence against women. The event also offers support to victims and survivors of rape, sexual assault, and child abuse. “[Take Back the Night] has been a vital part of my recovery from sexual assault,” said a Penn State student, according to The Digital Collegian. Women and men are encouraged to take advantage of Take Back the Night to assist in their healing process, Digital Collegian reports.

James Madison University in Virginia recently held their seventh annual TBTN along with a candlelight vigil with a student march through campus, “breaking the silence and making their voices heard,” according to the JMU Women’s Resource Center. JMU students also participated in the Clothesline Project, a display of t-shirts made by the victims and survivors of violence. Dartmouth College used a Take Back the Night March to bring together women, men, and children in the campus and community “to take a stand against violence and make the night safe for everyone,” according to Dartmouth College, located in New Hampshire.

Many community groups are also planning events for National Sexual Assault Awareness Month and urging students and community members to get involved in the activities. The DC Rape Crisis Center is holding events and workshops throughout the month of April aimed at empowering women and educating the community. A Take Back the Night March and Rally will be held on April 26 in Washington D.C.

2/27/2015 This Bipartisan Bill Will Hold Colleges Accountable for Ending Campus Sexual Assault - A bipartisan bill aimed at holding colleges and universities accountable for rape and sexual assault cases was introduced in Congress yesterday, spearheaded by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY).
Some of the Campus Accountability and Safety Act's key key provisions include a requirement of confidential reporting systems on colleges and universities, minimum training requirements for campus personnel, and stricter penalties for schools found to be in violation of Title IX or the Clery Act. . . .

2/26/2015 If This Bill Passes Federal Law Will Add Consent to Sex Ed Curriculums - Right now, federal law does not require health or sex education to include sexual assault prevention - but that could change with a new bill introduced by Senators Claire McCaskill (D-MO) and Tim Kaine (D-VA).
The Teach Safe Relationships Act of 2015, which was introduced earlier this month, would require all public secondary schools in the country to include teaching "safe relationship behavior" in order to help prevent domestic violence and sexual assault. . . .